Holy Saturday

I went charging out into the world on Holy Saturday with a MISSION. Miles had his 9:30 swim lesson first. At the park which adjoins the aquatic center, the 2-3 year old egg hunt started at 10:00. Actually, there were three egg hunts in Blacksburg all running from 10-12am on Saturday. I hope the kids appreciate my restraint.

We raced out of swim clothes to the park and I just found the 2-3 year old corral and just deposited Adele in there with her basket. "Go get em, baby!" She dutifully and solemnly filled her basket.

 Posing next to this guy, however, was a bit too much to ask. She was clinging to me in terror.

Miles was very pleased to meet the Bunny, for himself. 

Mandatory egg photo.

 After the town park hunt (which was an over-full BEDLAM), we were all in need of a bit of simplicity and quiet.

To the Veterinary School and their annual rabbit themed egg hunt.

 The eggs were all hunted, but these guys didn't care.

Nothing like a rabbit to soothe a weary toddler's soul.

I don't think I mentioned: Adele is now in a toddler bed, after her crib escape attempt 2 weeks ago. 

 In the evening of Holy Saturday, at church, the fires were lit for the Great Vigil. The young people (high school and college, mostly) kept vigil all night and maintained the fire, which I find unspeakably beautiful.

Jon was willing to stay in with the sleeping kids, so at sunset, I got to go to the fire lighting.

 The sunset... I know I rarely see them due to Bedtime Rituals, but this seemed extraordinary.

 Something just seemed to be brewing. I got tingles, not for the first time that night.

 There were very few gathered at the grate on the labyrinth, which seemed a shame.

 The church was so lovely at twilight. We actually saw bats coming out of the belfry!

 We did a short service of some guitar-strummed praise songs mixed with liturgy & readings.

 But, just the fire, boldly burning in the darkness, was spiritual enough.

 We waited. The whole world waited. In some ways, we're still waiting. The liturgical calendar, it teaches us and helps us to organize our spiritual experiences, but we must not mistake the signs for the things they signal. We are waiting for an Easter morning that one day really will bring all that the Holy Saturday of our lives teach us to long for.